A Green Building Design Case Study

By: Ethan Whitmore, Samantha Csapilla & Emma Hermanek

A Quick Glimpse…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOwtHcIuIbc

Location and Operational Context• Located in the Federated States

of Micronesia• Home to 9 ethnic Micronesian

and Polynesian groups• Micronesia became

Independent of U.S./UN administration in 1986

• Most important economic industries are fishing and tourism

• “However, the tourist industry has been hampered by a lack of infrastructure, limited commercial air connections, and a severely restrictive foreign investment climate.”– U.S. Department of State

“Built on 5-acres of oceanfront property,the inland side is bordered by a mangrove

channel. The lodge is small, with only 9 cottages, and very private.”

Awards

• 2006 Project Aware Environmental Achievement Award

• 2007 National Geographic Adventure Magazine Sustainable Outfitter Award

• 2007 EcoHotels Awarded Kosrae Village a 4-star rating

• 2007 Islands Magazine Responsible Tourism Blue Award

• 2008 National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s “50 Top Ecolodges”

The Start of the Kosrae Village• Originally founded by an American

family from the San Francisco area - Had previously been involved in Marine conservation efforts

• Traveled to Kosrae Island in early 1990s, became acquainted with the Kosrae State Tourism Officer, Madison Nena

• Developed Plan for lodge that emphasized the “Preservation of Kosrae's unique cultural heritage and conservation of the Island's ecosystems… that Madison hoped to fulfill via sustainable ecotourism”

Initial Construction• Micronesian society emphasizes

collective land use/ownership – citizenship is required for ownership of land

• After several visits a native family was willing to lease their land for the lodge

• Construction began in 1994; “we had two major goals, to emphasize traditional skills and to protect the fragile soils as well as the surrounding water ways.”

An Ecological Approach• Initially it was assumed that

heavy equipment and the construction of roads would be required to build the lodge facilities

• However, in accordance with their two goals the construction process focused upon using “people power” and minimizing environmental impacts. – The main road was

constructed by felling two large coconut trees which created a footbridge construction access

People Power“We used people power,

rather than power fueled by petroleum burning engines, protected the land, the reef from siltation and other noxious run off, brought down only those

trees that were dangerous and helped develop pride in local traditional skills.”

• All Construction was done by “hand”• No heavy equipment to avoid compacting the soil

– Also required less tree cutting and land clearance• By 1995 only three buildings had been constructed, however the slow

construction process was accepted as a byproduct of ecological stewardship– After the initial opening, additional buildings were constructed in similar fashion

• The entire lodge is a reconstruction of a 100 year of traditional Kosraean village

Village Cottages

• The cottages are built using 500 year old traditional methods• The walls are constructed of locally woven reed siding. • Structures are held together by coconut fiber twine woven around timber• Raised floors that allow the easy flow of cooling tropical breezes• Steep thatch roof sheds rain and encourages the flow of cool air currents.• Prices are between $80 and $140 a night, depending on style of cottage and room

occupancy

“Naturally cooled by constant 84 degree ocean breezes,Naturally shaded by huge coconut and pandanas trees.”

Dedication to the Reef• No heavy equipment was

used in construction process which prevented runoff

• Septic systems were installed with intricate leach fields to make sure there was no sewage spillage or runoff

• They use low suds detergents and biodegradable cleaners

After they opened in 1995, they started the Reef Protection Project • Kosrae Village owners and volunteer divers started the first coral monitoring program.

The coral has been monitored regularly ever since and the island and the global community has been able to receive data about the coral reef for management plans and scientific study

• In 2005 the “Kosrae Reef Protection Community Action Committee” was formed to further involve environmentalists, divers, state legislators, community leaders and fishermen in becoming educated about and protecting the reef.

Kosrae’s “Eco” Summary • “We planned and developed Kosrae Village as a green or eco

style operation long before it was popular to do so.• We hired local crafts people to build Kosrae Village by hand in

the traditional style, strengthening traditional cultural knowledge.

• No heavy equipment or filling during construction means working with the site as it exists, minimizing damage to land and trees as well as the adjoining reef and mangrove forest.

• Local, biodegradable, building materials means that Kosrae Village has a very light footprint.

• Power lines are buried, preserving the sense of a pre contact village.

• Waste water is processed through large septic and leach systems.

• Waste food is donated to local farmers for pig feed and compost.

• All restaurant greens and fish are purchased from local fishermen and farmers.

• We respect the unique Kosraean culture.• We provide information so that guests can understand,

appreciate and join in cultural activities whenever possible.• We work with the community to strengthen the stewardship of

the irreplaceable Kosraean ecosystems.• We support local craftspeople, tour guides and entrepreneurs

and encourage guests to patronize local sources.• We employ and train local staff at all levels in the organization.• Our active involvement in various environmental projects

including: – founding the Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization– our award-winning (and tax deductible) coral monitoring

program– mooring buoy installation and maintenance.

• We provide guests with information on how to safely interact with the various ecosystems, animals, and plants.

• We inform and encourage our guests to support various environmental initiatives.

• We ensure that our daily operations are sustainable. We avoid noxious chemicals and we recycle and reuse whenever possible, reducing our carbon footprint.”

As cited from the Kosrae Village Website and manager Katrina, http://www.kosraevillage.com/faq.shtml

Our Evaluation

• Overall, their guiding principles are good. Their initial implementation maximized local product use and sustainable building practices. They worked extensively with local institutions, laborers and contractors.

• In order to improve their future ecological footprint, such specific materials such as the beds, in-room refrigerators and plastic outdoor lounge furniture could be more locally produced

• We think they’re 90% green right now, but they could do a little more to improve their ecolodge and definitely have the potential to become 100% green and sustainable

Works Cited and Ecolodge Website • http://kosraevillage.com• http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1839.htm